Control apparatus



1 MW M h L L 1 Lm% AM w m m .SL n Am d W L c n An; f1. 1925.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY Aug. 11, 1925.

1.. M. ASPINWALL CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 20, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR L ouis M/Zspinwa/L WITNESSESf ATTORNEY Aug. 11, 1925.

1,549,706 L. M. ASPINWALL 1 CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Jan, 20, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

- E BY F7gJ4' ATTORNEY l mented Aug. ll,

UNrrnn srn HOUSE ELECTRIC 616 MA VANIA.

FENNSYLiH-il llfl, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- il ir GGMPAI'TY, A CGBPORATIDN 0F IPENNSYL- GONTIRQI: ATEPABATUS.

Application filed January 20, 1921. Serial No. 438,667.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, LOUIS hi. AsriNwaLL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Control ilp paratus, of which the following is a speci* tication.

My invention relates to control apparatus and particularly to elcctro-pneumatic switches or contactors that are employed for opening and closing circuits.

The object of my invention is to provide a relatively compact contactor which shall be effective and positive in operation and durable in construction.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings,

Figures 1 and 2 of which are views, in side and in end elevation, respectively, of a contactor or electro-pneumatic switch embodying my invention;

Figs. 3, a and 5 are views, in end, side and plan elevation, respectively, of a cylindrical meniber forming part of the valve mechanism of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2; a

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line Vl-Vl of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an inverted plan view of a cap or cover member shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cover member shown in Fig. '4", taken along line VIHVHT thereof;

Figs. 9 and 10 are views, in side and in end elevation, respectively, of part of a magnetic blow-out device shown in Figs. 1 and 2; r

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view talren along the line XI-JCT of Fig. 5;

Figs. 12 and 13 are views, in side and in end elevation, respectively, of part of the contactor shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and

Figs. 14 and 15 are detail views, in side and in end elevation, respectively, of a part of the contactor shown iirFigs. 1 and 2.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, an integral cylindrical member or casting 1, constituting a part of the magnetic valve mechanism 2, is secured to an insidating base member 3, which may be of slate or any other suitable insulating matedal. A yoke memoer i is mounted upon a projecting of the cylindrical member 1 and is insulated therefrom by a sheet 6 of suitable insulating material, such, for example, as micarta. The yoke 1 is secured to the shelf 5 by bolts 7, which are insulated therefrom in accordance with standard practice. The yoke member 4: supports. a plurality of core members 8 and of pole-pieces 9, which are illustrated in detail in Figs. 9 and 10. The core members 8 and the pole-pieces 9 are rigidly secured to the yoke member 4: by means of a plurality of tap bolts or screws. 11.

magnetic blow-out coil 12 is mounted upon each of the core members 8, the coils being electrically connected to each other by means of suitable contactstrips 13. A sta 'tionary contact member or tip 1% is supported by an upper bracket 16 that is positioned between the pole-pieces 9. The bracket 16 is supported by the insulating base memher 3.

A. lower contact member or tip 17 is securely at ached to a holder or base 18, which is pivotally mounted upon a lower bracket 19. Stationary arcing horns 21 and 22 are provided for the upper and the lower con tact members, respectively. Arc-box sides 23 are mounted between the contact tips 14L and 1? and the pole-pieces 9. The arc-box sides are supported by top and bottom; spacer castings 24 and 25, respectively, to which they are secured by means of screws 26.

The spacer castings 2 1 and 25 are of channel-shape, being of substantially a U-shape, in cross-section, throughout their lengths. The top spacer casting 2 1 is pivotally mounted upon the upper bracket 16 by means of projecting portions 27, constituting parts of the spacer casting 2 and a bolt 20. The lower spacer casting 25 is 'p'ivot ally mounted upon a hinge piece 29 by means of a bolt 31. The hinge piece 29 is a substantially flat member having a curved end por ion 32 enlarged to permit connection with the spacing member 25.

An arcing block 33 is attached to the spacer casting 24: by means of suitable bolts (not shown). A similar arcing block 34: is secured to the lower spacing casting 25. Demountable arc-shields 36 are positioned be:

tween the arc-box sides 23 and the arcing blocks 33 and M with the aid of a plurality of arc-b0X spacers 37, which are best shown in Figs. 14 and 15. The arc-box sides and the arc-box spacers 37 are securet to arcing blocks 83 and by screws 37'.

By having the spacer castings 2 1 and 2 pivotally mounted upon the bolts 28 d 31, respectively, the str cture, comprising spacer castings 2st and 25, arcing; blocks 33 and 34-, arc-box sides 23, arc-shields 36, arebox spacers 3C and arcinghorns 21 and 22, may be swung clear of the contact tips 1 2 and 17 by removing either the upper bolt 28 or the lower bolt 31. This construction permits access to the contact tips 1 1 and 17 Without dismantling a large portion of the contactor.

The pneumatic-valve mechanism 2- comprises the integral cylindrical member or casting 1, an armature member 38 and a magnetizable coil 39.

For a better understanding of the integral cylindrical member or casting 1, reference should be made to igs. 3, 1, 5, 6 and 11. The casting 1 comprises hollow port-ion 11, having projections or bosses 13 and 14, through which it is secured, by suitable screws (not shown) to the insulating base member 3. A projecting cylindrical portion 16 is provided to hold the magnetizable coil 39 and constitutes a part or the magnetic circuit comprising the armature member 38.

The shell 5, previously mentioned. shown as provided with belt holes 1', through which bolts 7 are positioned to se cure the yoke member 4 thereon.

As shown, a hollow cylindrical projection 4-8 is provided on the casting 1 and has formed therein an exhaust port 49 and an inlet port 51. This cylindrical member 48 will be more fully described hereinafter.

lVithin the hollow cylindrical portion ll is a cylindrical guide .52 through which the piston rod 58 extends, as best shown in Fig. 11. The piston 5%. is mounted upon the lower end of the piston rod 53 and is normally maintained in its lower position by a resilient member or spring 55. The pressure of air upon the lower surface the piston 54. will cause the piston to rise and compress the spring 55. When pressure is removed from the piston 54, the spring 55 will cause the piston 5% to return to its lower position.

cap or cover member 56 covers the opening in the base of the hollow member 41. The cap member 56 is secured to the casting 1 by means of bolts 57ashown only in Figs. 1 and 2which extends through the boss portions 57.

Referring particularly to Fig. 6. which shows the method of controlling the air pressure upon the piston 5%., the cylindrical screwed into drical. portion valve plug; or member 03 co-operates with a val'x' 'e seat 64., forming part of a removable cylindrical member Sela, to control the admission or air from the inl t port 51 to an opening which extends downwardly to the lower face of the casting 1 and permits air to pass therefrom into the hollow cylindrical portion +11. The movable valve plug 61 co-operates with a valve seat 66, constituting a part ot the removable cylindrical member (341e, control the release of air from the hollow chamber through the vertical port (35, to the i ..aust port 1 l. A resilient member 67 is provided to maintain the valve member 63 against the valve seat 6 1, when the valve stem. is not actuated by the fll'illtti'illi) 111Q1l1l)1' Referring particularly to Figs. 1? and 18, the lower contact bracket 1%) l mounted upon the piston rod The holder or base 18 is pivotally mounted if). the bracket 19 by means cl? a shaft or bolt ?0. The base 18 is maintaiied n ally tree of the iase portion of the net 19 by a spring '4' shown only in 1. The purpose oi? h ring the base 18 pivotally mounted is to make the current break occontact members our at the tip of the tllQlQJjJ keeping the heel free from burning and ensuring a slight wiping action 01 the contact members 1:!- aud 17.

11 boss 72 is provided with an opening 3 to permit attzurhment of a suitable coi'iduo tor or shunt that extendrom the lower bracket 19 the cylindi al casting 1 boss 73:1 thereby preventing current l 1 passing through the 'nston rod guide o2.

curved pro ection. 74: ot the bracket 15) is n'ovided with a slot 75. which eugrag; is a pm that is posit oned in a boss Z-l-(t ot the casting 1 to prevent the rotation of the piston Fill in the guide 553.

J Wing block or mounted upon the projectin the lower bracket 19 by mea One or more copper seamen are mounted upon the insu and form part of an interlo i t 1 described. The copper segments Y8. in their upper positions, engage a plurality of auxiliary contact lingers 79, which are best shown in Fig. 2.

The armature. 38 shown in 1 and 2 includes a flexible plate of thin steel or other suitable material attached to a movable plate 81 by means of counter-sum:

rivets and a stationary magnetimble llU member 82 adapted to be disposed between the plate 83 and the projection 46 of the casting 1, to which one end of the armature is attached by means of a tap bolt85.

An adjustable screw 86 is mounted upon the movable member 81 to actuate the movable valve plug 61 which is within the hollow cylindrical portion 48 of the casting 1. A. brass pin 86a, having a T-head, is positioned in the cylindricalportion 48 to limit the outward movement of the movable member 81. l The operation of the contactor is begun by energizing the magnetizable coil 89 from an auxiliary or low-voltage control circuit (not shown). This action sets up a mag netic flux through certain switch parts comprising the core member 46, the main body oi the casting 1, the hollow cylindrical portion 48, the movable member 81, and the stationary plate 83.

The armature member 38 is actuated inwardly against the cylindrical portion 48, whereupon the adjustable pin 86 presses against the movable valve plug 61, which is best shown in Fig. 6. Pressure upon the movable valve plug 61 causes it to actuate the valve stem 59 and to compress the spring 67, thus bringing valve 61 down on its seat 66 and closing the opening from the cylinder 41 to the atmosphere through ports and 49. By the same movement, valve plug 63 is removed from the valve seat 64, and compressed air is permitted to enter from a pipe (not shown) through the inlet port 51 and a portion of the chamber 58 to the port 65 leading to the hollow cylinder 41.

The air pressure applied to the piston causes the piston 54 to rise and compress the spring 55 (see Fig. 11). The piston rod 58 is actuated by the upward movement of the piston 54, thereby raising the lower bracket 19. The bracket 19 will rise until the contact member 17 engages the stationary Contact member 14.

The end of the contact member 17 will first engage the contact member 14 near its free end and, as the upward movement of the lower bracket 19 continues, the base 18 and the contact member 17 will turn on the pin until the contact base 18 comes firmly against the bracket 19. This movement of the contact member 14 gives a wiping action which tends to maintain the contact surfaces of both members clean.

The contact member 17 may be lowered by deenergizing the magnetiza-ble core 39, thereby permitting the spring 67 (see Fig. 6) to return the valve member 63 to its closed position, thus efiecting communication between the opening 65, leading from the hollow cylindrical member 41, and the exhaust port 49.

As soon as the air pressure is removed from the piston 54, the resilient member 55,

as shown in Fig. 11, will return the piston to its lower position, thereby causing the lower bracket 19 to descend.

lVhen the movable contact member 17 engages the stationary contact member 14, a circuit is established from a conductor (not shown) that extends through an opening 87 in the upper bracket 16 and which is secured to the contact member 14 by means of a bolt 88, through stationary contact member 14, movable contact member 17, contact base 18, lower contact bracket 19, conductor 89, which is secured thereto by means of the boss portion 72 shown in Figs. 12 and 13, casting 1, bolts 7, hinge piece 29, strip 90 (shown in Fig. 2), magnetic blowout coils 12, which are connected to each other, as hereinbe'fore described, by contact strips 13, and contact strip 91, to contact terminal 92 which is electrically connected to a conductor (not shown) that extends through an opening "93 in a terminal block 94.

When the contact members 14 and 17 are separated, the are formed therebetween is extinguished by means of the magnetic apparatus comprising magn'etizable coils 12,

core members 8, tap bolts 11 and yoke member 4. The arc is drawn out along the arcing horns 21 and 22 until it is extinguished. The arcing horn 21 is electrically connected to the stationary contact finger 14 by spacer casting 24, upper bracket 16 and bolts or screws 21 28 and 88. The arcing horn 22 is electricallyconnected to the movable contact linger 17 by spacer casting 25, hinge piece 29, bolts 7 cylinder member 1, conductor 89, lower bracket 19 and base 18.

The operation of the interlock, comprising the contact fingers 79 and the contact strips 78 that are attached to the lower bracket 19, takes place simultaneously with the closing of the contactor and may be made to open or close auxiliary circuits, as desired.

From the above description, it is apparent that several of the novel features of my invention are :Employing the valve'cylinder to form a part of the magnetic circuit which controls the operation of the armature, the two stationary arcing horns which are always electrically connectcd to theco-operating stationary and movable contact members, the pivo'tally mounted arcing shields, and the manner in which the yoke member is mounted upon the valve cylinder. It is evident that, by mounting the yoke member upon the cylindrical or valve member, a material saving in space is effected. By having the arcing horns stationary, the movable contact member or finger may be made lighter, and more massive horns may be employed than if the arcing horn and movable contact finger were one member.

While I have shown my invention in a I preferred form, it is apparent that minor modifications may be made in the arrangement of apparatus and circuits without departing from the spirit thereof. I desire, therefore, to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a stationary contact member and a movable contact member, of an arc shield for said members and a plurality of stationary arcing horns electrically connected to said contact members and adapted to co-operate with said contact members, said arcing horns being attached to said shield.

2. The combination with a plurality of relatively movable contact members, of an arc shield for said members and a plurality of stationary arcing horns electrically connected and adapted to co-operate, with said contact members, said arcing horns being attached to said shield.

3. The combination with a movable con tact member, of an arc shield for said memher, a stationary arcing horn electrically connected to said member and adapted to co-operate therewith upon said member being actuated from its closed to its open position, said arcing horn being secured to said are shield.

The combination with a stationary arcing horn, of a movable contact member electrically connected thereto, and an arc shield for said member, said arcing horn and said member constituting a substantially continuous electrical path upon said member being actuated to its open position and said arcing horn being attached to said are shield.

5. The combination with a stationary arcing horn having an arcing surface, of a movable contact member having a contact surface and an arc shield for said member, said arcing surface of said horn and said contact surface of said movable contact member constituting a substantially continuous surface upon said member being actuated to its open position and said areing horn being permanently secured to said are shield.

6. The combination with a stationary aroing horn, of a contact member, an arc-box therefor, a movable supporting member and means for electrically connecting said contact member to said horn, said contact member being pivotally mounted thereon and approaching said horn upon said supporting member being actuated to its open position and said arcing horn being permanently secured to said arc-box.

7. The combination with an integral structure comprising a hollow member and a magnetizable core member, of a magnetizable coil mounted upon said core member, a valve mechanism for controlling the supply of air admitted to said hollow member, an armature member coacting with said integral structure and actuating said valve mechanism, a piston within said hollow member and actuated by fluid pressure controlled by said valve mechanism, a plurality of contact members, and an arc-box therefor, one of. said contact members being actuated by said piston to engage another of said contact members, and a plurality of stationary arcing horns secured to said arc-box, said contact member that is actuated by said piston being adapted to approach one of said stationary arcing horns upon said contact member assuming its open position.

8. The combination with a magnetizable yoke member, of a magnetizable coil surrounding said member, a plurality of contact fingers, means for protecting said yoke member and said coil from arcing, and means for mounting said protecting means between said yoke member and said contact fingers to permit pivotal movement of said protecting means around either of two axes.

9. The combination with a plurality of contact members, of a yoke member of substantially U-shape, a plurality of core members and of pole-pieces supported by said yoke member, a magnetizable coil mounted upon each of said pole-pieces, a protecting device comprising a plurality of arc-shields and spacer brackets, said device being positioned between said pole-pieces and said contact members, and means for pivotally mounting said protecting device to permit it to be actuated either upwardly or downwardly from its normal position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed by name this 6th day of January, 1921.

LOUIS M. ASPINVALL. 

